Obituaries: May 15, 2026
Pamela Sue DeLong
July 3, 1954-May 10, 2026
Mrs. Pamela Sue DeLong, age 71, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Grand Haven, Michigan, on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
She was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on July 3, 1954, to Charles and Elizabeth (VanderStelt) Dyer. She graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School and attended Muskegon Community College.
On August 25, 1973, Pam married Robert “Bob” DeLong Jr., and he preceded her in death in 2022. Pam and Bob purchased Ladd’s and Co. in 2000, and together they enjoyed talking, building relationships, and forming lasting friendships with their customers.
Pam is survived by her daughter, Kara Duncan; grandson, Bryce Duncan; longtime neighbors and good friends, Tom, Jill and Jodi Eagle; and dear friends and co-workers, Phil Olson and Gretchen Carlson.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ted Dyer.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. You may sign her online guestbook at sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
Mary Louise Ferguson
October 13, 1947-May 11, 2026
Mary L. Ferguson, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on May 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on October 13, 1947, in the tranquil town of Zeeland, Michigan, Mary was the beloved daughter of Dirk Cornelius Bloemendaal and Lillian Ruth Bloemendaal. Her life was a testament to the values of compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she loved.
Mary's journey through life was graced by a heart full of love and laughter. She met the love of her life, Ira “Bud” Ferguson, and together they embarked on a beautiful journey, marrying on June 19, 1965. For over 60 years, they built a life rich in love and shared dreams, raising their four wonderful children in the close-knit communities of Holland and Zeeland. A graduate of Muskegon College, Mary pursued her passion for caring for others by earning a degree in nursing.
Her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse was a lifelong vocation, through which she touched countless lives with her gentle care and empathy. Mary was a caregiver at heart, always ready with a comforting word or a healing touch for those in need.
Her vibrant spirit extended beyond her professional life. Mary was an avid gardener, finding solace and joy in nurturing the earth and watching her garden bloom. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, her home a haven where the door was always open, and laughter was a constant companion. Her easy smile and giving heart left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate to know her. Mary was a devoted member of the Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, where she found community and spiritual nourishment for many years. Her faith was a guiding light in her life, offering strength and comfort to her and those around her.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Ira “Bud” Ferguson; her children, Mark (Christine Shafer) Ferguson, Sandra Ferguson, and Danny (Shannon Cooper) Ferguson; her 15 cherished grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Walters; and many dear friends. Although she leaves behind a world without her presence, her spirit lives on in the hearts of her family and all those she touched.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Ferguson – Appledorn in 2020; grandson, Austin Joe Ferguson in 2024.
Her legacy will be carried forward by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the many lives she influenced.
The family will receive visitors 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at the Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Dykstra Funeral Home - Northwood Chapel, located at 295 Douglas Ave., Holland, MI 49424. The Rev. Steven DeVries will officiate. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral. Family and friends are invited to gather and honor a life well-lived, a life that was a blessing to all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to the Hospice of Holland, an organization that provided care and comfort in her final days.
Professional service entrusted to the Northwood Chapel.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary, please visit our floral store.
Maxson Kruz Gonzalez
July 31, 2012-May 12, 2026
Maxson Kruz Gonzalez, age 13 of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Maxson is survived by his parents, Homar and Shania Gonzalez; and his sisters: Liberty Mae Gonzalez and Emilia Rae Gonzalez.
Visitation is 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, MI 49464. To leave condolences online, please visit yntemafh.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Maxson Kruz Gonzalez, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Ronald "Ron" Wallace Hunter
May 12, 1942-May 13, 2026
Ronald "Ron" W. Hunter, age 84, of Fruitport, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Harbor Hospice - Poppen Residence.
He was born on May 12, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late George and Eileen (Butler) Hunter. Ron married Nancy Plappert on July 15, 1967, in Chilton, Wisconsin.
Ron graduated from Greater Latrobe Senior High School and went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy, from 1964 to 1968, where he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was a proud member of the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post #28.
Ron enjoyed a successful career as an independent sales representative in the golf and ski industries. His outgoing personality and great sense of humor made lasting impressions on the many people he met along the way. He was an avid golfer and fisherman who always looked forward to his cocktail hours spent with his family and friends.
Ron will be forever remembered and missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Nancy; his three children, Kristi (Mark) Walsh, Kori (Jeff) Karger, and Mark Hunter; two grandchildren, Adam and Cassie Hunter; sister, Ann (Joe) Pizzo; sister-in-law, Rita Hunter; brother-in-law, Robert (Barbara) Plappert; two nieces; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mom, Mary Hunter; his brother, Robert Hunter; and niece, Erika Stone.
The Celebration of Life for Ron will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Troy Hauser Brydon officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from noon-1:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald "Ron" Wallace Hunter, please visit our floral store.
Robert Allan Krueger
November 23, 1938-May 9, 2026
Robert Allan (Bob) Krueger, age 87, passed away peacefully at home in Holland, Michigan, on May 9, 2026.
Bob was born on November 23, 1938, in Chicago, Illionois, and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pam; brother, Harold (Nancy); and son, Richard.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Holland; son, Erik (Leslie) of Olive Branch, Mississippi; daughter, Kathryn; granddaughters, Elisabeth and Anna Thomashoff, of Vienna, Austria; brother, Jon (Stephanie) of Olathe, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Bob received a BA in Science and mechanical engineering and a master's in business administration. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1959. He had a passion for flying and was very proud to have acquired his pilot’s license in 1992. One of his favorite things to do was fly his Cherokee 180 for a “$100 hamburger” at Gaston’s Lodge on the White River in Arkansas.
Bob enjoyed volunteering for Wings of Mercy in Kansas City, Kansas, and at Evergreen Commons and Holland Hospital. His love of Lake Michigan brought Bob back to West Michigan for his retirement. He loved his daily walks to the lake.
A memorial gathering will be 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at his home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Hospice of Holland, Saugatuck Home Care Services and Evergreen Commons.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.
Pastor Jerald John Poehl
July 31, 1937-May 13, 2026
Jerald John Poehl, age 88, of Muskegon, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
He was born on July 31, 1937, in Caldwell, Texas, to Robert and Helen Poehl. At the age of 4, his father led him in a prayer to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. That day changed the trajectory of his life for eternity. He graduated from high school knowing he had a call on his life to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.
Leaving his home, parents, and five younger siblings, Jerald started his pastoral career as a 19-year-old at a small church in Arkansas. During an evangelistic service that he helped lead in Hot Springs, Arkansas, God orchestrated an introduction to Marylin Gossel. It only took a few months to have a romance turn into a marriage; an adventure that lasted 56 years until Marylin's passing in 2015.
The newlyweds worked at Hillcrest, the Assembly of God Children's Home in Hot Springs. Feeling the need to further his education, Jerald left to attend Bible School in Pennsylvania over the winter semester and experienced snow and cold. Marylin became pregnant with her first child, David, and she moved to Texas to live with her in-laws while Jerald finished the semester.
David was born in Freeport, Texas and the family moved to Waxahachie, Texas, to attend Southwestern Assemblies of God Bible College. They welcomed their daughter, Shelia, to the family during this time. Jerald was ordained in 1963, and after graduation, he moved his family to Kountze, Texas, where the permanently youngest member of the family, Rob, was born.
Marylin's mother was involved in a car accident and the family packed up and moved to Michigan to help care for his mother-in-law. The family then moved to Grand Ledge and took on the bi-vocational challenge of pastoring a small church. Much growth occurred and a new building was erected. After five years, a move to Gaylord was the next direction to follow in God's plan. Jerald pastored the Gaylord Assembly of God Church and survived another building program. During this pastorate, he served as camp manager for Lost Valley Bible Camp.
After 10 years, Jerald packed up the family and moved to Ravenna to pastor there. It was here that his children met and married their spouses. Jerald served his last pastorate in Howell, but this was not the end of his ministry.
Jerald worked delivering cars around the country while waiting for his next assignment. God didn't take long in helping him find his ministry in Muskegon, at Central Assembly. He was promoted to maintenance man and proved that the biggest impact for the kingdom happens when we are obedient to God.
Jerald retired from Central Assembly until Marylin insisted that he find a hobby. His hobby was as a Hospice volunteer. This soon changed into his last paid ministry position as a Hospice Chaplain. Jerald realized that on the other side of having to worry about the budget, the type of songs sung in church, the volume of the songs, room temperatures, board meetings, upset members, and hour upon hour of work, was the rewarding ministry of leading people to meet Jesus and to comfort the grieving and hurting. He understood the grief he helped comfort in others when his wife passed away in 2015.
He then met Gen Morrison, and after courting, they were married in 2017. They were able to travel and spend winters in Florida, which Jerald truly enjoyed. He was able to experience eight great years with Gen and grieved again with her loss in January of 2026.
Next to his Savior, Jesus Christ, family was the most important thing to Jerald. The family relationships were strong, loving, and full of energy and laughter. They spent a lot of time together throughout each year, continually celebrating life's events and making wonderful memories.
Jerald enjoyed outdoor activities, especially fishing and hunting. He could always be talked into picking berries or looking for mushrooms. Jerald always looked forward to Texas trips to spend time with family; he especially looked forward to time spent fishing with his brother, Dale. As Dale would explain, the expression you see on a little kid's face when they catch a BIG fish is the expression Jerald had every time he caught ANY fish.
Jerald is survived by his son, David (Linda) Poehl; his daughter, Shelia (Larry) Boerema; son, Rob (Anne) Poehl; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Sheila Morrison and Kim Britton; along with seven step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Bernadine Clark, Neoma Tumlinson, and Doreen Harvey; brother, Dale (Janie) Poehl; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen; his wife of 56 years, Marylin; his wife of eight years, Genevieve; his brother, Donnie; and his step-daughter, Sheryl (Jeff) Lupien.
The Funeral Service for Jerald will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Central Assembly of God, 896 Home St., Muskegon, with Pastor James Reamsma officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lost Valley Bible Camp-Checks should be made out to "Michigan Ministry Network" with "Lost Valley" specified in the note section. They can be mailed to: Michigan Ministry Network-Lost Valley, 10370 Citation Dr., Brighton, MI, 48116.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pastor Jerald John Poehl, please visit our floral store.
Charles Edwin Rinehart
December 22, 1941-May 14, 2026
Charles Rinehart, age 84, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Charlie loved the open road and was a truck driver for many years and retired from Afco Industries. He enjoyed camping and sharing a cup of coffee with friends, fellow drivers and retirees. Charlie could talk with anyone. He was loved by his family and will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, J. Howard Rinehart and Lauren Rinehart.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Rinehart; son, Charles and Michelle Rinehart Jr.; daughter, Helena (Lainie) Klaasen; grandchildren, Rachel and Adam Poel, Allison Sadusek; sisters-in-law, Jane Rinehart, Shirley Perez; brothers-in-law, Delwyn and Emily Door, Ronald and Rose Ann Door; and extended family.
A memorial service is being planned at a later time.
Burial to take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Charlie's honor may be given to Harbor Humane at harborhumane.org or by mail to 14345 Bagley St., West Olive, MI 49460.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles Edwin Rinehart, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Maxine Arens Rodenhouse
December 24, 1928-May 13, 2026
Maxine Arens Rodenhouse of Zeeland, Michigan, passed away on May 13, 2026.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Maxine Arens Rodenhouse, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Daniel David Shirey
September 13, 1964-May 12, 2026
Daniel David Shirey, age 61, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Holland, Michigan, on May 12, 2026.
He was born on September 13, 1964, in Pontiac, Michigan.
Daniel resided in Holland with his beloved wife, Jessica, and their dog, Ivy. He was a loving father to David (April), Thomas (Alyson), William, Brandon (Lexi), and Marlee (Patrick). He was also a proud and cherished grandfather to Eyla, Ava, Willow, Asher, and Carter, all of whom brought him immense joy.
He is survived by his siblings, Lil Fishman (Ed), Chuck (Shelley), and Alan (Kristin), along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy Shirey; his brother, Douglas Wion; and his sister, Edith Shirey.
Daniel grew up in Detroit and Alpena, Michigan. He completed a four-year apprenticeship through Local Union 25 in Detroit and went on to build a long and successful career as an ironworker. He also worked alongside family at Wally's in Saugatuck, Michigan, a place filled with many treasured memories for him.
Outside of work, music was one of Daniel’s greatest passions. For more than 44 years, his music touched people throughout Michigan. He performed in many bands over the years, with one of his favorite memories being opening for the Crenshaw Brothers at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit. He especially loved hosting and sharing the stage with anyone willing to sing or play during open mic at the Sand Bar in Saugatuck.
Whether performing with lifelong musicians or first-time singers, Daniel welcomed everyone with kindness, warmth, and acceptance — qualities that defined the way he lived his life.
Daniel had a deep appreciation for the history of ironworking, music, America, western films, old cars, and restoring antiques. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and genuinely enjoyed hearing the stories and experiences of people from all walks of life. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, even strangers.
Above all else, Daniel loved his family, especially his grandchildren, who called him "Gooby," who meant the world to him. He also held a strong faith in the Lord, which gave him strength, hope, and comfort throughout his life.
Daniel will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his legacy of ironwork and his passion for teaching, music, generosity, laughter, and spirit will live on in the hearts of many.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Details are to be determined.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel, please visit our floral store.
